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Young man battling extremely rare form of cancer celebrates leap day birthday

Birthday party for Evan Gallant held Monday night

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Updated: 11:40 PM EST Feb 29, 2016

Young man battling extremely rare form of cancer celebrates leap day birthday

Birthday party for Evan Gallant held Monday night

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Updated: 11:40 PM EST Feb 29, 2016

PORTLAND, Maine —

The chances of having a leap day birthday are 1 in 1,461, but beating the odds is something Evan Gallant knows a thing or two about.

Evan turned 20 on Monday, so technically it was his 5th birthday. But he's fought hard to get to that mark.

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When he was 12, Evan was diagnosed with a form of cancer so rare, he was one of just two people in the United States with it.

People packed into DiMillo's Restaurant in Portland on Monday to celebrate the young man's resiliency.

It's pretty cool! I never expected this many people to show up," said Gallant. "I didn't even know anything about this. I didn't want to know but it sure turned out pretty cool, and it's just awesome!"

The birthday party was also a fundraiser to help cover Evan's medical costs.